Faster than a speeding modem, but worth it?

Q. Dear Propeller Head: I see that Microsoft has released a new search engine. Is Google still king of the hill? — S. Brin

A: Yes, with even less fanfare than Microsoft Bob (remember that dud?). Microsoft released a new search engine as part of its MSN Web site last month (www.msn.com). Why so little PR? Maybe because, like Bob, it was DOA.

Is it just me, or do you also get a perverse sense of pleasure when Microsoft gets egg on its face? Go Linux! Go Firefox! Rah, rah, rah!